Autumn ride to Bagshot - 16 October

In these difficult times, it is good to know that at least two things are in abundant supply.   One of these is acorns.   It's been a good year for acorns.   We know this because the roads are peppered, nay, piled high with them in some places.

Full inside

And two more outside

We started the day with an excellent turnout at Addlestone's Golden Cafe, which was standing room only by the time we were ready to leave.  Several were only out for elevenses, having heard that David W had been called for duty elsewhere, perhaps helping talks at Chequers?   But a hardy four companions set out along the acorn-infested roads.   We rode a panoramic tour of the autumn colours of Foxhills, Stonehills, and Coxhill Green (strangely all fairly flat), before the day's highlight, the ford at Pennypot.   None were brave enough to risk it, although we did establish that the water was less than a foot deep.

Where was David W when we needed him?
(Photo: Pam)

The ever-changing menu at the Kings Head gave us new choices and we were served promptly, just warm enough to sit outdoors.   Tony suspected his coffee was made with acorns, in a development which could have been a Green initiative, or simply cost-saving.  After lunch we were entertained by riding past the large mansions in upper Windlesham and Sunninghill, passing Hatton Hill, Benjamin's Mount and Mount Pleasant on the way to Windsor Great Park.   Despite all this, the hill-o-meter was still registering "mildly hilly" and never even reached "undulating", until we reached Breakheart Hill on the way to the Guards Polo club.

Breakheart Hill

Reaching the summit (Photo: Tony)

The other thing that is abundant at this time of year is U-turns.  Unfortunately I contributed to the surplus as I whizzed down a lovely hill towards Wick Gate, not where we wanted to be at all.  I suggested a dodgy looking path through the trees to the loyal followers.   Pam even confirmed that she had full confidence in the leader, so I knew I was in trouble.   But after a bit of fairly mild off-road, bumping across a field of grass, a bridge and a track, culminating in a sign saying "No Cycles" pointing to where we had just come from, we emerged on the broad sunlit tarmac uplands of the path round Virginia Water lake.   It was swarming with people.   And acorns.   But we managed to find our way to the exit, and without further drama, made our way via St Ann's Hill to Nauticalia at Shepperton, whereupon a lively and enjoyable discussion sprang up, covering such diverse topics such as the culinary uses of quinces, and a multitude of ways to prepare porridge.

It's a pleasure to be part of such a sociable and fun group of riders.   Thank you to all who came along.